Watercolor Background With Tombow Dual Brush Pens

In this video I teach you how to use your Tombow dual brush pens (or other water based markers like Crayolas) to create a beautiful watercolor background. I then go over different ways to use these backgrounds such as a landscape, city skyline or for your lettering. These would make great bookmarks or a cover page for your bullet journal. Comment below with any questions. If you like this video please like and subscribe.
If you click on one of the links below I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Materials Used:
Tombow Dual Brush Pens: amzn.to/2TvmLMR
Pentel Aquash: amzn.to/2I9ySy7
Canson Watercolor Paper: amzn.to/2DdeiH5
Washi Tape: amzn.to/2MZpiwx
Uniball Signo:amzn.to/2WNUdjx
Dr Ph Martin's Bleed Proof White Ink:amzn.to/2GsYwLJ

[@kathrynkemp1101]

Thank you for giving the pen numbers, made life a lot easier - love these cards - inspired me to do some of my own 🙂

[@patriciamack2893]

I have a smaller set of tombows and after watching your video, finally opened the package and gave them a try. I love their color and the blending was so much fun. On the last two I added more water, then sprinkled salt, and I must say, they look awesome. Too bad I can't add a photo to my post so you can see them. I'm taking these to the printers! Give it a try!

[@BetterLettering]

Patricia Lippart that is awesome! I haven't tried the salt but I have seen others do it. I might have to give it a go. Thanks for watching!

[@lovewithcalligraphy7291]

OMG WHY WOULD U LET UR TOMBOWS LAY AROUND TOMBOW R THE BEST CALLIGRAPHY PENS IN THE WORLD FOR ME

[@cutehoney14]

Thank you for making this video, it was really stunning to see how the colors blend together like magic as you went through with the water brush pen. Can't wait to get my first tombows and try this technique 🥰🥰

[@wandaradler6718]

I just got the whole set of Tombow Brush Pens for Christmas and I will definitely be giving this a try Thanks for the marker combos for nice blends too!

[@BetterLettering]

Oh, that’s great! They are a ton of fun to play around with!

[@bluemoonfusiondance]

Thank you, such a clear, easy to follow tutorial. I feel so inspired to use my new pens🥰

[@keighlinoconnor6075]

These are beautiful Hannah!

[@reyescustodiokeellingjoel2217]

wow it looks so easy to do, thank you for the idea.

[@TombowUSA]

We love how these turned out!

[@BetterLettering]

Thank you! I used your markers in a hand lettering class I taught and everyone loved them!

[@777jlap]

Tombow are great ! ty for the teaching @

[@BetterLettering]

Of course!!

[@Sarah-pu8un]

Amazing!

[@mof9228]

I love it!!!!

[@ayushigoswami6300]

Hey this was great. I'll definitely try this. Love from India ❤️

[@somethinginteresting2202]

Love this 🎉

[@WayOfHaQodesh]

Thank you for sharing this 💛🤲💛

[@abdulkpeera_53]

this looks very neat

[@minhphung8479]

love it

[@neerja0934]

So beautiful 😍 & u made it easy by giving these tips :)

[@sujiananth07]

I love the pink one ❤️💕❤️❤️

[@BetterLettering]

Thank you!!

[@tazmine9381]

Super cute!

[@BetterLettering]

Thank you!

[@CatPerezTV]

Wow 💖

[@swaranjeetkaur3923]

OMG 😍 loved it sis❤️

[@abidamnglm8322]

I love it super

[@soleneclemmetsen7470]

Super idea! I don't have the same water colour pens but I think it will work

[@BetterLettering]

As long as you have water based pens it should work!

[@kamaljeetkaur6876]

Wow

[@CamSchellsLuna]

Cool

[@jaeaj]

I'm so excited to open my big package of Tombow brush pens >:3 (96 pens)

[@BetterLettering]

Yay! So exciting, they are the best!

[@sadafrazzak8253]

Eugenie de Jesus those are pretty expensive. I wish I could get them 😕. But have fun!!!

[@detroitbecomebeyonce8321]

Artilicious YT same! I’m going to get a 10 pack instead 🥴

[@qlossy4655]

Detroit Become Beyonce I’m getting the ohuhu water color brush markers! Not to brag but the large set that comes with the water color pad 😊

[@detroitbecomebeyonce8321]

•Bubbly minty• that’s cool 💞

[@Moon_flowerr97]

Just a tip....the reason your boarders are bleeding like that is because as your painting dries it will pull the water droplets in from the tape causing them to be absorbed back into your painting. Try wiping them down before you leave them to dry :)

[@ScrappingMichelle]

These are really pretty and so simple. I keep thinking about getting some Tombow markers for lettering so I can learn how to blend the colors but I haven't gotten around to it. What have you used the background for? My favorite was the Mountain and and City scape :)

[@BetterLettering]

I love my tombows! Definitely one of my favorite mediums to use . especially because they are so versatile. I really like using these as bookmarks or I will also put them with packages that I am sending to people!

[@BetterLettering]

"Ink"satiable Me I have mostly used these for bookmarks! I was thinking of making some christmas ones for the holidays to give away!

[@felicitymelgarejo6865]

I AM THE 600TH SUBSCRIBER!

[@BetterLettering]

Woo hoo!!!

[@jamswoo]

Grade 7 student here, gonna get 96 set. Hope its worth it!

[@BetterLettering]

Awesome! Hope you like them, I love mine!

[@virginia111290]

Hey! Nice work! How many grams does you watercolor paper have? Also, if I have the water based dual brush pens, would they still be frayed? Thank you!

[@biancastoysreview1274]

Sadly i only have artline but i really love it but one thing is the tip is soft so the tip is kinda little broken but im really thankful that i have a brush pen

[@BetterLettering]

Neyney Felizardo hi! As far as I know artline Pena are also water based so you should be able to do this technique with them!

[@biancastoysreview1274]

Umm but i dont have that brush with water thing but good news for me is my mom is buying me tombow dual brush pens on saturday!..its the bright colors were getting

[@BetterLettering]

Awesome! You will love them! And you can use just a paint brush and water 🙂

[@kimperfectcreations5725]

I wonder if the blending brush the tombows come with would give it a similar effect cuz i don’t have one of those nifty watercolor brushes. I think I need one !!!!

[@BetterLettering]

It would blend but if it's not as wet it wouldnt look as much like watercolors. You can totally use a normal paint brush with water too! 🙂

[@kimperfectcreations5725]

Better Lettering that’s exactly what i did for my Plan With me this month !!! Haha this video was super helpful to me thank u again

[@biancastoysreview1274]

Now i have Tombowwwww duallll brush pens brightttt palette!!!!!

[@BetterLettering]

Neyney Felizardo yay!!

[@kiriobii8958]

Can you use the blending brush that comes with them and get the same result?

[@BetterLettering]

It definitely wouldn’t be the same effect. Mostly just because the paint brush has more water than the blending brush.

[@wya5108]

Just bought a set of 12 tombow dual brush pens and this video was really helpful to get me started :) Will canson mixed media or bristol work as well?

[@BetterLettering]

It will still work but you paper might warp and crinkle more depending on how much water you use!

[@wya5108]

@@BetterLettering The Canson Mixed Media paper worked quite well(for those who want to try, use the side without lines). Love how they turned out following what you did in the vid. Thanks so much for the helpful video! :)

[@BetterLettering]

Oh awesome! Thank you so much for letting me know!

[@lizziedae91]

I use the strathmore bristol smooth paper & it holds water well

[@wya5108]

@@lizziedae91 Thanks for letting me know :)

[@jamswoo]

So you color it in in different shades, and then you add water, how long do you have to wait until you add water?

[@BetterLettering]

Yep! You can add water right away. Sometimes I find with blending the sooner I add water, the better it blends.

[@rauchschwalbelp7693]

I know I am a bit late, but I just wanted to tell you that there is a product which erases Tombow Dual brush pen colours. It is called brushEX and is made in Germany, but available for worldwide shipping. The Happy Ever Crafter tested it and it is magic! I also have it at home and it is so COOL. It erases like magic. You don't need white paint anymore. It comes with a water-tank brushpen you can fill it with and start. I filled it in a tiny spray bottle to make a night sky. So good, so easy.

[@BetterLettering]

I watched that video too and it was super cool! I will have to try that out at some point!!

[@alphegedinsijohnmojiun2961]

Can I do this watercolour technique on copic markers?

[@BetterLettering]

From what I know copic marker are alcohol based and not water based so I don't think they would blend with water. I could be wrong though, I haven't tried it because I don't have any.

[@samshersingh1179]

Which paper should I use to do this

[@BetterLettering]

Watercolor paper would definitely work best because it’s thick and will blend nicely but mixed media paper would also work probably.

[@RAI18126]

What is the liquid that you are using besides the brush pen.

[@kathrynkemp1101]

Just water 🙂

[@jadynhorne7742]

Question: wouldn't watercolor paper fray my pens? (Tombow dual brush ones) because I thought such ruff paper would fray them?

[@BetterLettering]

Yes, it will definitely be rough on your Tombows. I would use old ones or you can also use any water based marker, crayolas would work as well!

[@jadynhorne7742]

Ok! Thank you for the information!❤

[@dapee3]

Can I use mix media paper?

[@BetterLettering]

Yep!

[@sangitaroy7380]

Can I do the taping with plain cello tape??

[@natalia_973]

It will probably rip x

[@BetterLettering]

I use painters tape or washi tape because it is not as sticky and will come off the paper without ripping it.

[@pinkglitterstar7547]

I was looking for a good set of markers that was worth it and im getting tom bow 😁

[@BetterLettering]

That's awesome, I love my tombows!

[@YESNCN]

What do u call that sort of water pen?

[@BetterLettering]

Mine is called a pentel aquash

[@kalaiklai4421]

Can i use acid free?or at least use with acid and water based

[@BetterLettering]

I haven’t tried it but you could always try on a scrap piece of paper first!

[@vicccxx]

Where can you get one of those water blender pens???

[@BetterLettering]

Amazon has them. If you are in the US Michael’s craft stores has them and maybe even wal mart.

[@Error-qk6kj]

Does this work with other brush pens?

[@BetterLettering]

As long as you have water based pens it will work such as crayola 😊

[@mochamaddimasekasaputra7135]

what paper you using ?

[@BetterLettering]

I used the chanson watercolor paper! You can also use mixed media paper but it isn’t as thick 😊

[@swaranjeetkaur3923]

I live in India so can I use camel brush pen instead of tombow please tell sis it's a request 🔥😘

[@candycake9531]

Possibly

[@BetterLettering]

I'm not exactly sure what that is but if they are water based then yes, you can use them and they will blend. Alcohol based will not work.

[@swaranjeetkaur3923]

@@BetterLettering thank you sis

[@jmdrummond]

The fact that that one mountaintop on the orange sky card has no snow on top bothers me.

[@bimmermom]

Bluesette 82 haha! I don’t mean to laugh but I thought the same ... at the end I thought they looked like pencil points .... they are lovely though

[@sadafrazzak8253]

I don’t have watercolor paper 😫. And I don’t want to fray them. Can u show any alternatives?

[@BetterLettering]

You can use mixed media paper which is a bit safer for your pens but it is not as thick and so won’t hold up to water as well. I also just purchased some super smooth cardstock that seemed to work well but it was on the pricier side.

[@BetterLettering]

You can alsways just test paper you have at home in the corner or something 😊

[@indahnurislamy3548]

what is the name of the water-filled brush pen ... ??

[@BetterLettering]

I use the pentel aquash water brush pen but there are plenty of other brands out there as well. I think the link should be in the video description if you are interested!

[@ellaburns6377]

My tomboys don’t blend Like this... any tips????

[@BetterLettering]

Check the paper you are using. Mixed media paper works well or watercolor although watercolor is rough on your brushes. Also just mess around with how much water you are using.

[@ellaburns6377]

Better Lettering ok thanks!!!

[@foriverrr]

I dont have any copic marker so i watch this

[@jadynhorne7742]

Uh, you mean tombow?

[@natalia_973]

Jadyn Horne No....copics are like...very good at blending and allot of folk use them,Tombows also do the same but aren’t like £5 per pen

[@JaneDoeowo]

Natalia _9 copics are alcohol based not water based. Totally different markers.

[@ianrv7296]

Can I ask something? How much price for one set?

[@chelsea7918]

Nur Irdina Atiqah Azhar My pack of ten dual brush pen (pastels) set costs $12.57 on amazon. Hope this helps.

[@ianrv7296]

Chelsea Herrera thank you very much..

[@dr.bandanamishra7006]

what do they cost?? approximately??

[@senagolbasi]

The Moon 1 set is 15-20$ maybe more but since it was blackfriday I got mine for 12$

[@BetterLettering]

Right now on amazon you can buy a pack for $12.31 normally they are $16.99. You can also buy individual colors at Michaels if you have one near you. Here is the amazon link: Tombow 56185 Dual Brush Pen Art Markers, Bright, 10-Pack. Blendable, Brush and Fine Tip Markers www.amazon.com/dp/B00JVB8FBA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_b3iaCbE9SYS01

[@antrasharma7778]

What if you don't have a blender?

[@BetterLettering]

You can use a paintbrush and water!

[@antrasharma7778]

Okay, thanks

[@ianrv7296]

Can I ask something? How much the price for one set?

[@brimarie6039]

Nur Irdina Atiqah Azhar 26.99 for one pack right now to dec. 2 they have a 40% sell in their website

[@BetterLettering]

Hi! If you buy from amazon they are on sale for $12.31 right now. Normally they are $16.99 on amazon. Here is a link: Tombow 56185 Dual Brush Pen Art Markers, Bright, 10-Pack. Blendable, Brush and Fine Tip Markers www.amazon.com/dp/B00JVB8FBA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_b3iaCbE9SYS01

[@ianrv7296]

Thank you for your replies...

[@ianrv7296]

Anastasie Marie are you malaysian or not?

[@yuvrajsaini3533]

I buyed brush pen today only.....

[@BetterLettering]

That's great, I hope you like them!

[@yuvrajsaini3533]

@@BetterLettering yes I liked them very much

[@anonymousgirl1873]

When i add water to my tombow dual brush pens, they dont become watery like yours..

[@BetterLettering]

anonymous girl hmmm, what kind of paper are you using? I am using watercolor paper with these, also, are you adding enough water?

[@anonymousgirl1873]

I’m using water colour paper.. and i’m pretty sure i’m adding enough water 😪 Is there any specific kind of watercolour paper that you’re using?

[@aaryaharlalka7893]

I had the same issue

[@tazinnur7334]

I'm having the same problem as well :(

[@rauchschwalbelp7693]

Could it be that you have the Tombow Dual brush pens PRO? These are alcohol based.

[@annaslife4967]

Mine didn’t blend can anyone help me out 😢🙏

[@BetterLettering]

What markers did you use?

[@lizziedae91]

Some papers are better than others too

[@hm7559]

Does duct tape work with it because thats all i got 😝 Btw❤️❤️

[@dhaanieboi]

put the duct tape on your hand or some surface before puting onto your paper to remove some of the glue it has and you should be good to go!

[@saturniiiidae]

Sorry for late reply, but like Pavel Vlza B said, you can stick it to your pants so it absorbs the fabric fibers and sticks less!

[@tony-sm9gt]

@@saturniiiidae I dont think they need the advice anymore, lol.

[@saturniiiidae]

Tony Johnson I left this comment for anyone to see, not just them. Sorry if it bothered you, but I’m not deleting my comment or something.

[@denisedle9391]

faire ses encres avec des feutres

[@kyliegraceffa6075]

pet peeve of mine is when people don’t shade the upper top of the “o” and it really dissatisfies me

[@vatsalsingh4578]

my ears got burned to hell hearing the dual tip brush pen dragged on the water color paper

[@asianspice4900]

11:21 so cringe

[@candycake9531]

Why?

[@asianspice4900]

Candy Cake never mind you won’t understand

[@candycake9531]

@@asianspice4900 Why? You think I'm four?